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5 Rules for Fixing the Out-of-Order

You know, that computer issue you have been having for the past few weeks.

Or that sound your car has been making for a couple of days.

Or even that injury that you have been resisting to seek professional help on.

What if we had to wear one of those “Out-of-Order” signs when something wasn’t working in our lives?

Would you be wearing one?

What’s “Out of Order” in Your Life?

In the hustle of daily life, it is easy to ignore things that are not working.

After all, if we don’t have time to get our work done, when are we going to have time to fix something?

Yet, sometimes these out-of-order issues are holding us back. They can also result in bigger problems.

For example, a young woman had noticed that her driver’s side window would sometimes stick when she attempted to shut it. The mechanism was making an odd clicking noise, and occasionally it wouldn’t close until the second or third attempt.

However, she didn’t fix it.

She ignored it for a few days. Then a couple of weeks. A few of her friends even mentioned it when they caught a ride with her.

One morning, she was late arriving to work. As she pulled into the parking lot, the window would not go up. She hurriedly ran into work, saying that she would get the window fixed tomorrow.

Of course, it rained that day… for several hours.

“Out-of-order issues cause bigger problems.

They lead to more life friction and stress.”

What is out-of-order in your life that is going to cause you trouble?

If It’s Broke, Fix It

Don’t ignore what’s not working in your life. Instead, ensure that you address out-of-order issues in a timely manner.

Here are “5 Rules for Dealing with the Out-of-Order”

Do Your Preventative Maintenance – One of the best ways to deal with the out-of-order, is to prevent the condition in the first place. Make sure that you do the proper maintenance in advance. This applies to everything from your car to your physical fitness.

Listen to Others – We are sometime oblivious to what is not working in our lives. We accept out-of-order as the new normal, and then we stop seeing the issue that needs to be addressed. Outside viewpoints are invaluable in helping to identify what is not working.

Don’t Assume That Someone Else Will Fix It – At my local gym there is a piece of machinery that has been missing a piece for over 3 years. One day, I asked one of the employees about it. They said, “Oh, I assumed that someone else had ordered that missing part.” Apparently not.

When Safety’s Involved, Fix It Now! – Creating more life friction is bad enough, but when safety is involved, it is plain dangerous. In an office, the copier lid had become cracked. Everyone ignored it (See Rule #3), until finally one day one of the assistants accidentally cut their hand open on the jagged edge and need stitches. Needless to say it was fixed the following day. This is a relatively minor incident, but when safety is involved don’t wait for bad things to happen.

Get Expert Help – You may not be the right person to fix something. Would you disassemble your car? Or your computer? What might take you hours, could take someone else minutes. Whether it is a computer or car, an expert will probably be able to address the issue in a fraction of the time. You may even be able to learn something along the way.

Fix Your Life

What isn’t working in your life that you have been ignoring?

When things are out-of-order, we end up with additional problems and life friction.

No time for time management? Check out my online course designed to jump start your productivity! Take it online on your time and pace. As well, get direct access to me for advice and questions. Get details or enroll now by clicking here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

Matttanguay

Hey Craig,

I first heard about removing frictions in a business from Eben Pagan, and every time I removed friction and fixed things out of order in my life and business, I either had a breakthrough or at least felt much better.

I believe it’s worth making a habit out of asking yourself “What’s out of order in my life”.

Great post!

Matt

Matttanguay

Hey Craig,

I first heard about removing frictions in a business from Eben Pagan, and every time I removed friction and fixed things out of order in my life and business, I either had a breakthrough or at least felt much better.

I believe it’s worth making a habit out of asking yourself “What’s out of order in my life”.

Great post!

Matt

TMNinja

@Matttanguay Yes. I am a big believer that much of the “life friction” we encounter is self-inflicted.

When you are organized and manage your time you reduce that friction.

Matttanguay

Hey Craig,

I first heard about removing frictions in a business from Eben Pagan, and every time I removed friction and fixed things out of order in my life and business, I either had a breakthrough or at least felt much better.

I believe it’s worth making a habit out of asking yourself “What’s out of order in my life”.

Great post!

Matt

TMNinja

@Matttanguay Yes. I am a big believer that much of the “life friction” we encounter is self-inflicted.

When you are organized and manage your time you reduce that friction.

waynemcdougall

I think I have this covered, which probably just means I need to apply Rule#2 Listen to Others. But I am inspired to do some preventative maintenance on my physical fitness

waynemcdougall

I think I have this area of life covered, which probably just means I need to apply Rule#2 Listen to Others for that “outside viewpoint”. But I am inspired to do some preventative maintenance on my physical fitness

TMNinja

@waynemcdougall I find it interesting that many people don’t address their physical condition until it is in an extreme condition or injury.

Taking care of ourselves allows us to do so much more in our daily lives.

waynemcdougall

I think I have this covered, which probably just means I need to apply Rule#2 Listen to Others. But I am inspired to do some preventative maintenance on my physical fitness

waynemcdougall

I think I have this area of life covered, which probably just means I need to apply Rule#2 Listen to Others for that “outside viewpoint”. But I am inspired to do some preventative maintenance on my physical fitness

TMNinja

@waynemcdougall I find it interesting that many people don’t address their physical condition until it is in an extreme condition or injury.

Taking care of ourselves allows us to do so much more in our daily lives.